EU ready to listen to sides, OSCE MG's proposals on Karabakh

January 29, 2014 - 16:52 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union regrets the situation on the contact line between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the head of the EU representative office to Azerbaijan Malena Mard said in Baku Jan 29, Azeri media reported.

"The EU is closely monitoring the situation," she said. "The peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict was discussed at negotiations with the Azerbaijani side during the recent visit of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Philippe Lefort."

"The OSCE Minsk Group deals with the conflict settlement," she said. "The EU is ready to listen to the mediators and both sides’ proposals on the conflict settlement."

Simultaneous attempts of penetration by the Azerbaijani subversive groups were recorded on January 19-20 in the north-eastern (Jraberd) and south-eastern (Korgan) directions of the line of contact . The front units of the armed forces of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic noticed the actions of the Azerbaijani subversive groups and started an organized defense in both directions.

The rival was thrown back suffering palpable human and material losses. Junior Sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan died from the wounds he received during the exchange of fire in the north-eastern direction.

Also, as a result of the continuous firing from the Azerbaijani side, a 16-year-old girl was wounded in her leg on Thursday, Jan 23 night in Aygepar village of Armenia’s Tavush province.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.